From SF to LA by the road No.1
Jul 10th, 2008, 01:23 AM
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From SF to LA by the road No.1
Here I have another inquire plus to my post re the Death Valley.
Me and my family will stay at Palo Alto for a few days in August. Our flight back to Russia will be from LA so, we will have to move from SF (Palo Alto) to LA. I have heard that air transportation from SF to LA is cheap and convenient. However, I would consider an alternative way: driving to LA by the Road No. 1 to see the places along the ocean shore. Need your advice: is it reasonable and will we be able to enjoy this trip within a day (without an overnight on this way) or we will have to push the accelerator and go with maximum speed without any chance to look around? Wouldn't it be better to go to LA by plane in order to see Los Angeles before our departure to Russia?
Thank you in advance
Me and my family will stay at Palo Alto for a few days in August. Our flight back to Russia will be from LA so, we will have to move from SF (Palo Alto) to LA. I have heard that air transportation from SF to LA is cheap and convenient. However, I would consider an alternative way: driving to LA by the Road No. 1 to see the places along the ocean shore. Need your advice: is it reasonable and will we be able to enjoy this trip within a day (without an overnight on this way) or we will have to push the accelerator and go with maximum speed without any chance to look around? Wouldn't it be better to go to LA by plane in order to see Los Angeles before our departure to Russia?
Thank you in advance
Jul 10th, 2008, 05:12 AM
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Your fears are well-founded. First, Hwy 1 down through Big Sur may still be closed in sections in August. And second, to do it in a day is not feasible if you'll have a flight to catch. An accident or rock slide can close the highway, and in many places there's no easy way to get over to an alternate road.
Take the plane. And come back some other time, and take that drive (and spend several days doing it--it's a glorious trip.)
Take the plane. And come back some other time, and take that drive (and spend several days doing it--it's a glorious trip.)
Jul 10th, 2008, 06:11 AM
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Thank you. And is the Highway 101 worth to use it for this drive? I mean if it is interesting to do so or we will not see anything but for the highway? In fact I have the plane the next day so, I shouldn't catch it the same day.
Jul 10th, 2008, 06:31 AM
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As bookhall mentions, right now about a 30 mile section of Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles is currently closed due to a large wildfire (the fire has been burning for several weeks). While we all hope the fire will be out and the road reopened by August, the uncertainty of fire damage, etc. makes planning the trip more difficult than usual.
I also agree with bookhall that I would not do the drive if you are trying to catch a plane that night. However if you aren't trying to catch the plane till the next day, doing the drive in one long day should be fine (assuming the highway has re-opened completely with no delays for road repairs from fire damage).
The most scenic part of Highway 1 is generally considered to be the part between Monterey and San Luis Obispo. So if you're trying to do it in one day, I would do other parts of the trip on faster highways and just do Highway 1 for that part.
This is the route I would take (about 9 - 10 hours of driving with a little time for stopping to admire the views - so get an early start):
From Palo Alto I would take 280 to San Jose, then 101 to the Salinas area where you then head over to join Highway 1 at Monterey. Then take Highway 1 through Big Sur to San Luis Obispo, where it merges with Highway 101. Keep going south on the combined Highways 1 and 101 until shortly after Pismo Beach Highway 1 separates from Highway 101 again - here don't go on Highway 1, but instead stay on Highway 101 down through Santa Barbara and on into Los Angeles.
I also agree with bookhall that I would not do the drive if you are trying to catch a plane that night. However if you aren't trying to catch the plane till the next day, doing the drive in one long day should be fine (assuming the highway has re-opened completely with no delays for road repairs from fire damage).
The most scenic part of Highway 1 is generally considered to be the part between Monterey and San Luis Obispo. So if you're trying to do it in one day, I would do other parts of the trip on faster highways and just do Highway 1 for that part.
This is the route I would take (about 9 - 10 hours of driving with a little time for stopping to admire the views - so get an early start):
From Palo Alto I would take 280 to San Jose, then 101 to the Salinas area where you then head over to join Highway 1 at Monterey. Then take Highway 1 through Big Sur to San Luis Obispo, where it merges with Highway 101. Keep going south on the combined Highways 1 and 101 until shortly after Pismo Beach Highway 1 separates from Highway 101 again - here don't go on Highway 1, but instead stay on Highway 101 down through Santa Barbara and on into Los Angeles.
Jul 10th, 2008, 06:42 AM
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Yes, if Highway 1 is still closed or if you decide it is too long, Highway 101 is worth taking, I think.
We drive back and forth between SF and LA fairly often and 101 is my favorite way to go because it is a good combination of being able to make decent time (although not as fast as Highway 5) but still scenic (which Highway 5 is not). Highway 1 is even more scenic of course, but takes longer so I don't choose to do it for regular trips.
I think the stretch of Highway 101 from just before San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is very pretty. San Luis Obispo is a very nice town for strolling around, with an old Spanish mission and nice cafes along a little river, the countryside has rolling hills and some vineyards. Sometimes you see cowboys on horseback herding cattle in the hills around San Luis Obispo. Then just a few miles from there is Pismo Beach right on the ocean. Then the highway goes inland through some pretty country and comes out to the coast again just before Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a very pretty town and there are nice beaches in Carpenteria.
We drive back and forth between SF and LA fairly often and 101 is my favorite way to go because it is a good combination of being able to make decent time (although not as fast as Highway 5) but still scenic (which Highway 5 is not). Highway 1 is even more scenic of course, but takes longer so I don't choose to do it for regular trips.
I think the stretch of Highway 101 from just before San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara is very pretty. San Luis Obispo is a very nice town for strolling around, with an old Spanish mission and nice cafes along a little river, the countryside has rolling hills and some vineyards. Sometimes you see cowboys on horseback herding cattle in the hills around San Luis Obispo. Then just a few miles from there is Pismo Beach right on the ocean. Then the highway goes inland through some pretty country and comes out to the coast again just before Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is a very pretty town and there are nice beaches in Carpenteria.
Jul 10th, 2008, 07:59 AM
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You also need to consider the cost of driving a rental car one way from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
Car Rental companies often charge a drop-off fee if it is a one-way rental (i.e.,, returning at a location that is different from the pick-up location). Sometimes the drop-off fee could be several hundred dollars.
Try and find a car rental company that will charge you little/no drop-off fee.
Car Rental companies often charge a drop-off fee if it is a one-way rental (i.e.,, returning at a location that is different from the pick-up location). Sometimes the drop-off fee could be several hundred dollars.
Try and find a car rental company that will charge you little/no drop-off fee.
